Banish thoughts of pocket protectors and
pencil-necked physiques: These guys, to put it scientifically, are hot. In fact,
they're Studmuffins of Science, the subjects of a 1996 pin-up calendar
featuring 12 of the country's brightest and beefiest Ph.D.s. Posing as "Dr.
December" is Chicago astrophysicist Edward "Rocky" Kolb, who, alongside a
thumbnail summary of his work, offers admirers some never-before-revealed
personal data ("I was the fifth Beatle."). The fun, says calendar creator Karen
Hopkin, has a serious point: to show scientists as regular folks. With awesome
pecs.

Dr. December 1996

EDWARD "ROCKY" KOLB
Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics
The University of Chicago
Member and Former Director of Theoretical
Astrophysics Group
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Batavia, Illinois

Celebrity impression: Elvis during his last minutes. "It involves
lots of peanut butter," says Rocky. "It's not a pretty sight."

Best part about being a scientist: It shuts up those irritating,
chatty people on airplanes. "Tell someone you're a theoretical
astrophysicist and they quickly turn their attentions back to the
in-flight magazines."